The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-07-08
PRESIDENT CLEVELAND
Declines to Visit ST. Louis During
the Grand Army Encampment.
He Writes a Letter Giving His Rea-
sons for So Doing.
Indignation of St. Louis Citizens RE-
garding the Affair.

garding the Affair.
WASHINGTON, July F.-President Cleye-
land win not attend the G. A. r. encamp-
ment at st. Louis, as will be seen from the
following letter from the President to Mayor
Francis of that city:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, ID. c., July 4, 1887
Hon. Ddrid II. Francis, Mayor and Chair
man:
My Dear Sir-When | received the ex-
tremely cordial and gratifying invitation
from the citizens OF st. Louis rendered by q
number of her representative men, to visit
that city during the National Encampment
TO the Grand Army of the Republic. | had
been contemplating for some time the ac-
ceptance OF the invitation from that organ
ization to the same effect and had consid-
If 1t should be possible to meet not only
members of the Grand Army, but the peo-
pie of st. Louis and other cities in the West
which the occasion would give me an oppor-
tunity to visit.
The exactions of my public duties felt to
be so uncertain, however, that, when first con-
confronted by the delegation of you were
the head, expected to do no more at that
time than to promise the consideration of
the double invitation rendered me. and ex-
cent the same thereafter if possible.
But the cordiality and sincerity of your
presentation, reinforced by the heartinesS
OF the people who seconded you, so i'm
pressed me that | could not resist the feel
ing which prompted me to assure you on the
spot that l would be with you and the
Grand Army of the Republic at the time des-
ignated, if nothing happened in the mean
time to absolutely prevent my leaving Wash
ington.
Tn,n,adiatal,, ,,no, +ho ,>,,1,1;o -
ment of this conclusion. expressions ema-
mating from certain important members of
the Grand Army of the Republic, increasing
in volume and virulence, constrained me to
review my acceptance of these invitations.
The expressions referred to go to the extent
of declaring that would be an unwelcome
guest at the time and place of the National
EDcampment.
This statement is based, as well as / can
judge, upon certain official acts of mine,s in
volVlng important public interests, done un-
der the restraints and obligations of my oath
Of Office, which do not appear to accord with
the wishes of some members of the Grand
Army of the Republic.
refuse to believe that this organization
founded upon patriotic ideas, composed yery
largely OF men. entitled to lasting honor and
consideration, and whose cr0wning glory it
should be that they are American citizens as
we'll as veteran soldiers deems it a part of
It's mission to compass any object or pur-
pose by attempting to intimidate the execu-
tive or coerce those charged with making
and executing laws.
And the expressions to which | have re-
ferred indicate such a prevalence of un-
friendly feeling and such menace to an oc-
casiOn which should be harmonious. peace-
ful and cordial, that they cannot be ignored.
beg you to understand that am not con-
scIouS OF any act of mine which should make
me fear TO meet the Grand Army of the Re-
pubic, or any ether assemblage of my fell
low citizens. Inc account Of my official
stewardship is always ready for presenta-
tion tolmy countrymen. 1 should not be
frank if failed to confess, while disclaim-
Ing all resentment, that had been hurt by
the unworthy and wanton attacks upon me
growing out Of this matter and the reckless
manner in which my actions and motives
have been misrepresented, both publicly and
privately, for which, however, the Grand
Army Of the Republic, as body, is by no
means responsible.
The threats of personal violence and harm
in case l undertake the trip in question,
which scores OF misguided, unbalanced men,
under the Stlmulati0nS of excited feeling
have made, are not even considered.
rather than abandon my visit to the West,
and disappoint your citizens, might If
alone were concerned, submit to the insult to
which 1t Is quite openly asserted i would be
heplessly subjected if present at the en-
campment. but sheuld bear with me there
the. peoples highest Office, the dignity of
NhiNlt iihot plOboCl, anu DClIcNc llldL nBl-
ther the Grand Army of the Republic as an
organization, nor anything like majority of
It's members, would ever encourage any
scandalous attack upon it,
IL, however. among the membership Of
this body there are some-as certainly seems
to he the case-determined to denounce me
and my official acts at the National Eneamp.
ment, believe they should be permitted to
do so, unrestrained by my presence as a
guest OF their organization, or as guest of
the hospitable city in which their meeting is
held.
A number of Grand Army posts have
sgnlhed their intention. / am Informed, to
remain away from the encampment in case
visit the city at that time. Without con
sidering the merit of such an excuse, / feel
attendance.
The time and place of the encampment
were fixed long before my invitations were
received. Those desiring to participate in
its proceedings should be first regarded, and
nothing should be permitted to interfere
with their intentions.
Another consideration of more Importance
than all others remains to be noticed The
fact was referred to, verbally, by you, when
you. verbally, presented the invitation of
the citizens Of St Louis, that the coming en-
campment of the Grand Army of the Rpub-
lie would be the first held in Southern
State
l suppose this fact was mentioned as a
pleasing indication of the fraternal feeling
fast gaining ground throughout the entire
land, and hailed by every patriotic citizen as
an earnest that the Union has really, and in
fact. been saved in sentiment and spirit with
al the benefits 1t youchsafed to a united peo-
pie.
cannot rid myself of the belief that the
least dlscord of this Dropitious occasion
might retard the progress of the sentiment of
common brotherhood which the Grand Army
OF the Republic has so good an opportunity
TO increase and foster. j certainly ought not
to be the cause of such discord. in any event
or upon any pretext.
1t seems to me that you and the citizens of
St. Louis are. entitled to this unreserved
statement of the conditions which have con-
strained me to forego my contemplated visit,
anu 10 Withdraw my acceptance of your in
vtation.
Ny presence in your city at the time Won
nave Indicated can be of but little moment,
compared with the Importance of cordial
ana harmonious entertainment of your other
guests.
1 assure you that abandon my plan with
out the least personal feeling, except regret,
constrained thereto by sense of duty.
actuated by desire to save embarrassment
to the people Of ST. Louis or their expected
guests, and with heart full of grateful ap-
probation of the sincere and unaffected
Kindness of your citizens.
Hoping the encampment may be an occa-
sion OF much usefulness, and that its pro-
ceedings may illustrate the highest patriotism
of American citizenship,
am yours very sincerely,
GROVER CLEVELAND.
interest in Political Circles.
WASHINGTON, July 7.-The Presidents
letter has created great interest in political
and army circles. The general opinion
seems to be that it is strong political letter
and will improve Mr.. Cleveiand's chances
for reelection. A few persons thought the
President took narrow view of the disaf-
fecton among the malcontents of the Grand
Louis anyhow, inasmuch as in his letter he
stated that he did not hold the Grand Army,
as 2 body, responsible for the discontented
feeling agaist him.